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“Isaiah Simmons, 6-4, 230 pounds, Clemson, junior When discussing Clemson’s do-it-all defender, it is important to first understand how he was deployed by the Tigers this season. Check these numbers out: * Of his 822 snaps this season, Simmons lined up in the box as a traditional linebacker 299 times (36 percent), according to Pro Football Focus. * He served as Clemson’s deep free safety 132 times (16 percent), and as a defensive end or edge rusher on 116 snaps (14 percent). * Most impressively, Simmons lined up in the slot as a souped-up nickel corner 262 times (32 percent), proving more than capable of defending the nation’s best tight ends and slot receivers in space. As the numbers show, Simmons can play anywhere. Which is why defining him as a linebacker or safety is pointless. Pro Football Focus gave Simmons a 92 coverage grade this season, meaning he locked up the nation’s best tight ends and slot receivers. He scored 85 overall or higher in pass rushing, run defense and tackling. Simply, he doesn’t have a weakness. There isn’t much to dislike. As a safety, he is the best in his class. The same can be said as a linebacker. At his size, he projects as an every-down player who can do it all. Usually, Simmons spent his Saturday afternoons overpowering blockers and proving too fast and too big for ball carriers to juke him. Simmons is as much a “can’t miss” prospect as there is in this class.” |
No reason why we can't have either Simmons, Young or a trade-down in this draft.
Bring him in.
I'm not a CFB expert, but if Simmons can competently play (some) FS as a true centerfielder then I don't see why not. Can also probably play in the big nickel together with Love playing FS.
So can he just play all 4 spots or can he play all 4 spots at potentially an all pro level? If he can then picking him would be a no-brainer. I loved watching Simmons the past 2 years but projecting him to the next level has been challenging, for me at least.
I'd still take the top OL in the draft at 4 or trade back, getting an extra pick and still getting one of Lamb or Jeudy if that's even possible.
For 230 lbs he can move - fast and agile.
If Graham can place him where the big OL cannot get to him he would be just what they need. A fast LB that can cover anywhere and attack the QB from anywhere, remarkably so.
Is he the same style player as Peppers? IDK. He is bigger and taller. If he can truly play FS in the NFL, then he'd be a great foil with Peppers.
Is he stout enough to play inside in the NFL?
Is he rangy enough to play single high?
Is he quick enough to play in the slot?
Will he be able to effectively pass rush? Remember prior to 2019 he had 2.5 career sacks, and only one of his 2019 sacks came against a ranked opponent.
While I'd love an impact linebacker in the worst ways, I think there are some questions about Simmons that are going to pop up closer to the draft. He'll still be a top 10 pick, but I wouldn't be shocked if he goes closer to 10 than 4.
He's listed as 6'4". Is it not possible, I would say likely, for him to add some bulk with NFL training (without losing too much speed)?
I realize his shortcomings and maybe 4 will be a bit too high. But you can work on his faults, you can't teach what he already has.
Texas A&M and South Carolina...not top of the line teams, but 2 SEC teams, in addition to their ACC schedule.
I really don't know, but would it be inconceivable for Simmons to put on 5-8 lbs of muscle on his 6'4" frame (without losing too much speed)?
I looked at all his sacks this year. IIRC, all but one he came in unblocked. There was one sack he bent the edge well. I wanted to see more of that.
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please take those statistics with a grain of salt. Clemson didn't play any competition until their final two games of the season.
Texas A&M and South Carolina...not top of the line teams, but 2 SEC teams, in addition to their ACC schedule.
And he looked very good vs LSU
If Simmons returned punts - it would sound exactly like Peppers.
Can't you say that about anyone? When he enters the NFL he will have to continue to get better, just like any other college player...
maybe Simmons won't care what his actual title is. he's definitely talented. does he show instincts?
If Simmons returned punts - it would sound exactly like Peppers.
Nor does he play RB, as Peppers could.
While the skill set sounds the same, they are totally different. I would say Peppers is a safety that can play at the LoS. Simmons is a Safety/LB hybrid that can play LB and he is much bigger and because of his size covers TEs better.
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What happens when he is playing in the NFL? "Superman" may be mortal...
Can't you say that about anyone? When he enters the NFL he will have to continue to get better, just like any other college player...
Of course, this is true, just like many CFB players are underrated and overlooked and become stars...
If not, I'd still want him at 4.
This^^^
Nice to get off the field on defense on 3rd and longs.
Simmons can cover -- he has off the charts ability on coverage and area of NY Giants weakness, and he can turn the corner and pass rush - and punch the Offensive Tackle and get around him - these are two very different tools than Peppers has shown. Also he is 6' 5" and has a large wingspan -- it's a very different body type than Peppers
I love his abilities -- he does seem to stop playing sometimes - and when you compare him to Chase Young I think Young is a much more aggressive and physical player -- but Simmons has some mad skills that you don't find in combination much.
Young is all Pass Rusher, violent and quick
Simmons can pass rush and cover -- and he can lay the wood
JonC doesn't like SImmons - I wonder if he could speak up about it -- but the tape I've seen on him shows a pretty damn good defensive player with multiples - and that is the buzz coming out of Judge
The commonality between Peppers and Simmons to the lazy college scout like myself is the versatility piece to his game.
BTW - I'm not saying it as a knock him. I happen to think that Peppers is a good player and I think he was better than, oh I don't know, Landon Collins when it came to covering TEs.
Simmons can cover -- he has off the charts ability on coverage and area of NY Giants weakness, and he can turn the corner and pass rush - and punch the Offensive Tackle and get around him - these are two very different tools than Peppers has shown. Also he is 6' 5" and has a large wingspan -- it's a very different body type than Peppers
I love his abilities -- he does seem to stop playing sometimes - and when you compare him to Chase Young I think Young is a much more aggressive and physical player -- but Simmons has some mad skills that you don't find in combination much.
Young is all Pass Rusher, violent and quick
Simmons can pass rush and cover -- and he can lay the wood
JonC doesn't like SImmons - I wonder if he could speak up about it -- but the tape I've seen on him shows a pretty damn good defensive player with multiples - and that is the buzz coming out of Judge
FWIW, I agree on the Peppers comparisons - physically different players.
His only draw back is his narrow build. I don't think he can carry much more weight, he is built like a very tall safety. I don't think he'd do well inside on 1st and 2nd downs, but would be perfect on 3rd and medium to long.
It's a skillset that comes with an extremely high upside. All Pro upside. It's not one without risk though. Why? Because it will take an innovative coaching staff to assess week to week and game to game how to deploy him vs the next opponent to maximize his potential.
You can't line him up as a LB in the box and press play. He ISN'T a traditional LB. He played much less than 50% of his career snaps at the position. He doesn't thrive taking on the blocks of Guards and Centers in space. He's a 'MOVE' defender and if you don't use him that way you're going to be disappointed in the result.
I happen to think we have the right staff and philosophy to exploit his potential or I wouldn't advocate taking him #4. IF we stay there and Young doesn't miraculously fall to us(which he won't) Simmons would be my pick. I'd have some butterflies and a strange combination of excitement and worry going on in my head but I'd do it. The payoff could be tremendous. He makes impact plays at a startling rate.
I do love the NFL draft.
I find it to be fascinating.
If he played strictly Safety. He'd be the top Safety in this class.
He's currently the top LB listed in this class.
He might be the best slot defender I've covered in this draft.
This guy can line up 15 yards from the line of scrimmage and make a tackle on a running back for a loss. His closing speed is ridiculous. For a league that has Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and other QBS that can be threats running the ball. Simmons is a special prospect.
First, okay, PFF loves him. But PFF loved Leonard Floyd pre-draft, too. Now, not so much.
JonC doesn't like him much, at least not at #4, and his judgement is usually sound. I'll wait and see if his opinion has changed. Ditto for Sy'56, whom I believe was not very high on Simmons, either, so we'll see about that, too.
It's no secret I'm all about an OT at #4, however, for the past two years I've wanted the Giants to draft a bona fide defensive difference-maker in the 1st round, preferably a disruptive pass-rusher. If the Giants feel Simmons can be that guy, so be it.
He's a multi position guy that needs to play in space as a move defender the majority of his snaps.
First, okay, PFF loves him. But PFF loved Leonard Floyd pre-draft, too. Now, not so much.
JonC doesn't like him much, at least not at #4, and his judgement is usually sound. I'll wait and see if his opinion has changed. Ditto for Sy'56, whom I believe was not very high on Simmons, either, so we'll see about that, too.
It's no secret I'm all about an OT at #4, however, for the past two years I've wanted the Giants to draft a bona fide defensive difference-maker in the 1st round, preferably a disruptive pass-rusher. If the Giants feel Simmons can be that guy, so be it.
I'm with you on the OT idea - but again - as a lazy scout, it seems like all the OT guys at the top of the class Wirfs/Thomas/Willis/Becton all kind of have warts. Are any of them worth pick #4...probably a topic for a different thread...but you guys know a lot more than I do...clearly.
I did miss Sy's bowl game previews - I did get a better idea of who was who thanks to those.
He's a multi position guy that needs to play in space as a move defender the majority of his snaps.
Bucky Brooks has him listed as the top LB in the draft.
Also thats what people said about Roquan Smith and Deion Jones. Slip blocks others take on. not about what they do but how well they do it. Darius Leonard slips blocks all day. one of the best Will backers in the league.
He's listed as 6'4". Is it not possible, I would say likely, for him to add some bulk with NFL training (without losing too much speed)?
Urlacher added 20 lbs. or so going into the Combine.
He doesn't need to be the ILB #1. They'll run a lot of nickel and hybrid defenses anyway. Lawrence, Tomlinson and (potentially) Williams are boulders up front. Keep someone like Simmons clean and he could be a big factor.
How is his tackling? Coverage is nice but covering college receivers is different than the pros (obviously).
If he played strictly Safety. He'd be the top Safety in this class.
He's currently the top LB listed in this class.
He might be the best slot defender I've covered in this draft.
This guy can line up 15 yards from the line of scrimmage and make a tackle on a running back for a loss. His closing speed is ridiculous. For a league that has Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and other QBS that can be threats running the ball. Simmons is a special prospect.
Man - it's hard to fathom a 6'4' 230 pd slot corner succeeding in the NFL. Either the guy is a special talent, or the slot WRs in the ACC weren't very good.
In today's NFL you need a modern day inside LB and I do believe that Simmons could turn into an All-Pro at that position.
Look around the league at today's weapons, QB are becoming more mobile and getting rid of the ball quicker. Team are running TEs and WR slanting through middle of the field all the time.
Simmons is exactly the kind of Athlete you need in the middle and they are even harder to find than pure pass rushers. If you want to win in this league you need to be able to cover the pass catching TE, spy on mobile QBs, and disguise the middle of the field.
Simmons has the potential to do all those things for us. You want to be able to disguise your pass rushers and you can't do that if you don't have LBs who can cover. I think we desperately need a guy like this.
Agree with this.
ACC was garbage this year.
In today's NFL you need a modern day inside LB and I do believe that Simmons could turn into an All-Pro at that position.
Look around the league at today's weapons, QB are becoming more mobile and getting rid of the ball quicker. Team are running TEs and WR slanting through middle of the field all the time.
Simmons is exactly the kind of Athlete you need in the middle and they are even harder to find than pure pass rushers. If you want to win in this league you need to be able to cover the pass catching TE, spy on mobile QBs, and disguise the middle of the field.
Simmons has the potential to do all those things for us. You want to be able to disguise your pass rushers and you can't do that if you don't have LBs who can cover. I think we desperately need a guy like this.
Your argument has very valid points. I think it is just a matter of how the Giants staff projects him onto the field at the pro level. Are they going to be able to utilize him this way and is he going to be a fit their schemes all 3 downs? The other question is how high do they have him ranked compared to other draftees, compared to Okudah, Wills, or even Thomas? There is tremendous unclarity at #4.